ELIGIBILITY:

All awards are free to enter

Must be the filmmaker or filmmakers’ first 50+ minute documentary film where they own the director or co-director credit

Open to filmmakers from anywhere in the world. We encourage international filmmakers to apply

Projects must be at the late development to early production stage at the time of applying – this is not a finishing fund

Award money cannot be paid to an individual. Therefore applicants must either: provide proof of company viability; have a fiscal sponsor on board; have a nominated production company on board to create a dedicated project account for their film; or confirm that they are willing to set up a limited company and dedicated project account if shortlisted.

Up to six minutes of original taster footage is required at the time of applying

Must be accessible for an English-speaking audience – whether in the English language or subtitled in English

Applicants must have an executive producer on board at the time of applying.

Should they be shortlisted, applicants must be available to travel to the UK in June to pitch their project at Sheffield DocFest (reasonable travel and accommodation covered by The Whickers)

The budget for 50+ minute documentary film does not exceed £400,000 at the time of application

Applicants who at the time of application have other funding sources over the value of £300,000 are not eligible.

BENEFIT:

A main award worth £100,000 and a development award for the runner-up of £20,000